How often do you calibrate your refractometer?

[topjimmy]

Every time I test.

 

[Heabel7]

Wow. So many test it so often. I do it every once in a GREAT while. If I drop it maybe. But really I mix the same ratio of salt to water every time I do a water change. It’s always within +- 1 ppt. If it’s more than that I start to question my refractometer. I just use my RODI to zero it when necessary. When I had calibration fluid it measured as it should and so did RODI. In addition I test the water that comes from the bags of my frags and such from my local stores. All seems to be in order. Maybe I got lucky and mine just stays on point. IDK

 

[Proteus Meep]

I have two of the D-D H2ocean ones myself and have never had to make an adjustment to them once in the past 15 years for my original or the past three for the newer one, they are good quality refractometers i just check it every few months with RODI water.

Many of the cheap refractometers like the ones on amazon and ebay will need calibrating every use they are that poor, the difference between them and a good refractometer is like night and day

 

[homer1475]

Back when I used one, nearly every time I used it with 35ppt calibration solution.

When I switched to a Milwaukee digital, every few weeks , or if I noticed an off reading.

Using the new @Hanna Instruments checker, and I calibrate every few weeks. It has never been off, but salinity is one of those things that can get way out of wack in a hurry if your measuring device is off.


Just a small FYI,
For you guys using the Milwaukee digital, you do realize you need top be zeroing out with DISTILLED water and not RO/DI? When I was having issues with my first unit, I was on the phone several times with Milwaukee and I was told several times to not use RO/DI. If you give Milwaukee a call or email, they will send you new distilled and 35ppt checker fluid free of charge!

 

[mattybecks]

I looked that one up, it's a pretty nice unit. you will be fine with the temp difference looks like it's atc is a little better than most. just get you some calibration fluid & as others have said check it every time before you use it to make sure your getting a dead on reading from it. & maybe just give it about 10 seconds to correct the temp should be more than good.

Thanks man. It was more expensive than the other brands so I should hope it a little better haha.

 

[mattybecks]

Remember to get the calibration fluid to tank temp before using. I did not for the longest time and It does make a huge difference

I should get the calibration fluid to the same temp as the tank water? (26C and 20C as it states it was calibrated on?)

 

[mattybecks]

I have two of the D-D H2ocean ones myself and have never had to make an adjustment to them once in the past 15 years for my original or the past three for the newer one, they are good quality refractometers i just check it every few months with RODI water.

Many of the cheap refractometers like the ones on amazon and ebay will need calibrating every use they are that poor, the difference between a them and a good refractometer is like night and day

That makes me feel better about spending more. The guy at the LFS said the same thing about theirs that they use. They check it every month, and it hasn't had to be recalibrated yet.

 

[topjimmy]

Back when I used one, nearly every time I used it with 35ppt calibration solution.

When I switched to a Milwaukee digital, every few weeks , or if I noticed an off reading.

Using the new @Hanna Instruments checker, and I calibrate every few weeks. It has never been off, but salinity is one of those things that can get way out of wack in a hurry if your measuring device is off.


Just a small FYI,
For you guys using the Milwaukee digital, you do realize you need top be zeroing out with DISTILLED water and not RO/DI? When I was having issues with my first unit, I was on the phone several times with Milwaukee and I was told several times to not use RO/DI. If you give Milwaukee a call or email, they will send you new distilled and 35ppt checker fluid free of charge!

Or buy a gallon of distilled water for < $1.

 

[shred5]

I have two of the D-D H2ocean ones myself and have never had to make an adjustment to them once in the past 15 years for my original or the past three for the newer one, they are good quality refractometers i just check it every few months with RODI water.

Many of the cheap refractometers like the ones on amazon and ebay will need calibrating every use they are that poor, the difference between them and a good refractometer is like night and day

That is a problem, people are buying cheap refractometers. There are really are not many good ones either in the U.S..
The D-D are good but have become hard to get in the U.S. The Vee Gee Scientific ones are good..

 

[joec]

It depends on what Refractometer you have. I had the $40 BRS unit, and it was always out of calibration so I had to check it every time, even several times if I was using it repeatedly. Don't buy one of these.

Now I have the Vee Gee STX3 and every time I check it it's spot on or very, very close to spot on, within .001

 

[shred5]

It depends on what Refractometer you have. I had the $40 BRS unit, and it was always out of calibration so I had to check it every time, even several times if I was using it repeatedly. Don't buy one of these.

Now I have the Vee Gee STX3 and every time I check it it's spot on or very, very close to spot on, within .001

That is a good one and the one I have.. I actually use both my Vee Gee and my Hanna.. Just like test kits I use two different brands. The Hanna is so easy and easy to calibrate and it does need to be calibrated regularly. I use the Hanna mostly and about once a month check my reading against my Vee Gee. I have so many tanks I just dip the Hanna in each...
I just do not trust anything anymore.

 

[homer1475]

That is a good one and the one I have.. I actually use both my Vee Gee and my Hanna.. Just like test kits I use two different brands. The Hanna is so easy and easy to calibrate and it does need to be calibrated regularly. I use the Hanna mostly and about once a month check my reading against my Vee Gee. I have so many tanks I just dip the Hanna in each...
I just do not trust anything anymore.

Love my Hanna! It's just to easy to dip it in and get a measurement. While I still use my VeeGee(mainly to see if the Hanna is still in calibration), my Milwaukee sits on the shelf.

I also agree it needs regular calibrating. I often find I hit the calibration button instead of the power button. Hanna should have done a press and hold to go into calibration mode, instead of a single press.

 

[miyags]

I don't test salinity that often.So I calibrate before I test.

 

[oldbob50]

Weekly at every water change.

 

[Bubbabobobbrain]

I calibrate mine before every test and I got my calibration solution on eBay

 

[Randy Ruiz]

I calibrate mine about twice a month using calibration solution, more often if it's off from 1.025-26. ATO keeps it pretty stable. I usually check the calibration solution about every 6 months with someone who has newer solution.

 

[H@rry]

I test every week and check with fluid once a month. Very rarely does it need calibrating.

 

[FishDoc]

Hi Guys,
The title says it all

Every time I use it.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Before every use

 

[Quietman]

Once a week or two unless I bump it or get a suspect reading....or read a post about calibrating your refractometer. I've checked the calibration more in the last two days than I have the last month.